Wheel chair



Oct. 30, 1962 J. E. MATTHEWS 3,061,358

WHEEL CHAIR Filed Sept. 4, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 O Q 6 INVENTOR.

JOSEOA/ 5. MflWi AS Oct. 30, 1962 J. E. MATTHEWS 3,051,368

' WHEEL CHAIR Filed Sept. 4, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i i 5 51 59 1055 5. 4,4192%? F76" y 55 Woe 5Y5 3,951,368 Patented Oct. 30, 1962 hce 3,061,368 WHEEL CHAIR Joseph Edward Matthews, Los Angeles, Caliii, assignor, by mesne assignments, to James M. Lewis and Burton Clark Baidwin, Altadena, (Iaiif.

Filed Sept. 4, 1956, Ser. No. 607,935 7 Ciaims. (Cl. 297-118) This invention relates to wheel chairs, and included in the objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a wheel chair having an uniquely arranged toiiet seat incorporated therein, the toilet seat having an opening adapted to be closed by a padded panel and novel means whereby the panel may be moved between a position closing said opening and a position clearing said opening by a person seated in the wheel chair.

Second, to provide a toilet seat for wheel chairs wherein the closure "panel is movable to and from a position flush with the surrounding seat while a person is seated thereon without danger of pinching or otherwise injuring the user.

Third, to provide a toilet seat for wheel chairs which is particularly easy to manipulate to facilitate its use by an invalid without help.

Fourth, to provide a wheel chair having a toilet seat which incorporates novel frame work so disposed as to clear a toilet bowl to permit the wheel chair to be backed over the toilet bowl.

Fifth, to provide a wheel chair of this type which may be folded as compactly as a conventional wheel chair, and although having framework permitting manipulation over a toilet bowl this is accomplished without sacrifice in weight, sturdiness, or ease of operation, and in particular readily withstands the racking and twisting to which wheel chairs are subjected when moved over uneven surfaces and over stairs or curbs.

With the above and other objects in view, as may appear hereinafter, reference is directed to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the wheel chair;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view thereof through 2-2 of FIG. 1, showing the Wheel chair backed into position over a toilet bowl, the toilet bowl being indicated by broken lines;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view through 33 of FIG. 2, showing the underside of the seat structure;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View through 44 of FIG. 2, showing the seat panel latchin'g means;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2, showing the connection'between the cross braces; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view through 66 of FIG. 2.

The wheel chair includes a pair of side frames 1. Each side frame is provided with a bottom rail structure 2, which may be formed of one or several pieces of tubing, and with a step 3 at its forward end. A rear post 4 extends upwardly from a point near the rear end of each bottom structure 2. Each rear post 4 terminates in a rearwardly curved handle 5.

Extending upwardly from the stepped portion 3 of each side frame 1 is a forward post 6, the upper end of which curves horizontally to form an arm rest 7 joined to the corresponding rear post 4. Each rear post 4 supports a large drive wheel 3. A caster wheel 9 is disposed under each step or offset 3.

Joined to each forward post 6 and to the forward extremity of the corrsponding rail structure 2 is a downwardly extending foot rest support 10, at the extremity of which is hinged a foot rest 11.

Each side frame 1 may be provided with a side panel 12 extending between the rearward and forward posts 4 and 6. Also the rearward posts 4 are joined by a back panel 13. A horizontally positioned slide bar 14 extends between the rearward and forward posts of each side frame 1.

The slide bars 14 are provided with end stirrups 15 which are slidably guided between the posts 4 and 6. The side panels 12 are so attached to the posts as to avoid interference with the stirrups 15 so that the slide bars 14 may be raised and lowered relative to their respective side frames 1.

The construction so far described may be considered as conventional. It is conventional practice to connect the two slide bars 14 by a foldable fabric seat member, not shown. Also it is conventional to join one slide bar to the bottom rail structure 2 of the opposite side frame 1. With this arrangement the side frames of the wheel chair may be spread apart to the extent limited by the fabric seat member and fabric back panel 13, or brought into confronting relation by folding the seat member and the back panel 13.

In the exercise of the present invention, special cross braces 16' are substituted for the conventional cross braces. Each cross brace 16 is essentially U-shaped and provided with forwardly converging leg portions 17 connected by a central cross portion 13. The cross portions 18 of the two braces are provided with sleeve-lined slots 19 through which extends a tie bolt 20 so that the cross braces are pivotally connected together at their midportions.

The leg portions 17 of each cross brace 16 are joined to sleeves 21 and 22 which fit on journal rods 23 and 24. The journal rods 23 and their sleeves 21 are interposed in the bottom rail structures 2, whereas the journal rods 24 and their sleeves 22 are interposed in the slide bars 14.

As shown best in FIG. 2, the cross braces 16 extend forwardly from their points of connection with the bottom rail structures 2' and the slide bars 14. No other cross members connect the lower portions of the side frames 1 so that the wheel chair may be backed over a toilet bowl, as shown in FIG. 2, the forward portion of the toilet bowl being received within the pyramidal shape defined by the cross bars 16. 1 i Y Relative spreading of the side frames 1 is limited by stop collars, or other shoulder means, 25 provided on the forward and rearward posts 6 and 4. The stop collars 25 are engaged by the end stirrups 15 of the slide bars 14.

The slide bars 14 constitute seat-supporting struts and receive a seat structure 26. The seat structure includes a rigid base 27 dimensioned so that itsopposite margins may rest on the slide bars or struts 14. The corners of the seat structure are shaped so as to fit between the rearward post 4 and forward post 6 and are restrained against lateral displacement by the side panels 12. Thus the seat structure is firmly retained in place, but may be readily lifted when it is desired to fold the wheel chair. The base 27 of the seat structure is covered by a suitable cushion 28.

Formed within the seat structure is a toilet aperture 29. The aperture 29 is substantially pear-shaped, being widest in the rearward portion of the seat structure. Theaperture 29 is adapted to receive a correspondingly shaped closure panel 30 having a rigid base 31-and padding 32 so that when the panel is in place the padding 32 is substantially flush with the cushion 28.

The rearward end of the panel 30 is provided with a cross bar 33, the extremities of which are provided with upwardly offset portions 34 which ride on track rods 35 secured to the underside of the base 27 and extend in parallel relation forwardly and rearwardly of the seat structure 26. The rearward extremities of the track rods 35 form ledges 36 located adjacent the underside of the seat structure 26 so that when the panel 30 is in registry with the opening and the cross bar 33 rests on the ledges 36, the rearward end of the panel occupies a position substantially flush with the base 27.

Immediately forwardly of the ledges 36 the track rods curve or slope away from the base 27, forming cam portions 37. Forwardly of the cam portions 37 the track members form guides 38 parallel with but spaced downwardly from the seat structure 26. The forward ends of the track rods 35 again slope upwardly and join to the forward portion of the base 27.

The cross bar 33 not only guides the panel 30 relative to the track rods 35 but also permits pivotal movement of the panel about the axis of the cross bar. In order to retain the cross bar 33 on the track rods 35, U-shaped retainer members 39 are fastened to the cross bar 33 on either side of each offset portion 34 and looped under the corresponding track rod 35.

Also secured to the underside of the panel 30 is a forwardly extending operating rod 40 having a handle 41 at its forward end adjacent the forward margin of the seat structure 26. Depending from the forward portion of the seat structure is a latch 42 comprising a keeper 43 in the form of a folded plate having a slot 44 extending upwardly from its lower folded edge.

The keeper 43 pivotally supports a catch lever 45 having a hook portion 46 and an arm 47. The hook portion 46 is adapted to catch under the operating rod 40 to hold the forward extremity of the panel 30 in its upper position. The operating rod 40 may be provided with a suitable stop member 48 adjacent the handle 41. The latch 42 is located between the stop 48 and the handle 41.

Operation of the wheel chair is as follows:

In ordinary use, the closure panel 30 is in its closed position so that the pad 32 of the closure panel and the cushion 28 of the seat structure 26 are flush. When it is desired to fold the wheel chair, the seat structure 26 is lifted from bewteen the side panels 12, whereupon the two side frames 1 of the wheel chair may be brought together, first, however, tilting the foot rests 11 to vertical positions. When the seat structure 26 is to be used as a toilet seat, the handle 41 is held while the arm 47 is moved to release the catch 45, permitting the forward end of the panel 30 to be lowered and drawn forward. In doing so, the cross bar 33 rides down the cam portions 37, dropping the panel member a suificient distance for the padding 32 to clear the underside of the seat structure 26. The panel is drawn forward as far as possible and then allowed to hang in a downward and forward position, as shown by broken lines in FIG. 2. Before or after this is done the wheel chair is backed over a toilet bowl, as shown in FIG. 2.

To return the panel 30 to its initial position, the panel is raised to a substantially horizontal position and forced backward. As the cross bar 33 rides on the cam portions 37, the rearward portion of the panel 30 is directed upwardly into the aperture 29, whereupon the forward end may be brought into position by raising the handle 41 until the operating rod 40 is engaged by the catch 45.

It will be observed that the final movement of the panel 30 to position, or the initial movement of the panel, in order to open the aperture, is principally a vertical movement, so that any danger of pinching or injuring a person using the toilet seat structure is prevented.

While a particular embodiment of this invention has been shown and described, it is not intended to limit the same to the exact details of the construction set forth, and it embraces such changes, modifications, and equivalents of the parts and their formation and arrangement as come within the purivew of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A wheel chair, comprising: a pair of side frames; a drive and caster wheel supporting each side frame; diagonally disposed foldable cross bracing connecting said frames intermediate their forward and rearward ends and arching forwardly between said frames, whereby said wheel chair may be backed over a toilet bowl; a seat structure removably disposed between said side frames and having a toilet aperture therein; a closure panel for said aperture; and means for moving said panel between a position flush with said seat and closing said aperture, and a forward position clear of said aperture.

2. A Wheel chair, comprising: a pair of side frames; a drive and caster wheel supporting each side frame; diagonally disposed foldable cross bracing connecting said frames intermediate their forward and rearward ends and arching forwardly between said frames, whereby said wheel chair may be backed over a toilet bowl; a seat structure removably disposed between said side frames above said cross bracing and having a toilet aperture therein; a closure panel for said aperture; track means under said seat structure at opposite sides of said panel; track riding means secured to the rearward end of said panel and arranged to ride forwardly and rearwardly on said track means to move said closure panel forwardly and rearwardly over said cross bracing, said track means being shaped to raise the rearward end of said panel into said aperture flush with said seat structure as said panel is moved rearwardly into registry with said aperture said closure panel adapted to occupy a forward position in clined downwardly over said cross bracing; handle means for raising and lowering the forward end of said panel; and means for latching said handle means to secure said panel in said aperture.

3. A wheel chair, comprising: a pair of side frames; a drive and caster wheel supporting each side frame; diagonally disposed foldable cross bracing connecting said frames intermediate their forward and rearward ends and arching forwardly between said frames, whereby said wheel chair may be backed over a toilet bowl; a seat structure removably disposed between said side frames above said cross bracing and having a toilet aperture therein; a closure panel for said aperture; a cross bar at the rearward end of said panel; cam tracks secured to the underside of said seat structure for rotatably supporting said cross bar, said cam tracks extending forwardly and rearwardly and having camming sections at their rearward portions for elevating and dropping the rearward portion of said panel relative to said seat stucture on movement of said panel to and from registry with said aperture; a handle extending forwardly of said panel over said cross bracing for, moving said panel between an elevated rearward position in registry with said aperture and a forward position inclined downwardly and forwardly over said cross bracing; and latch means for securing said panel in elevated registry with said seat structure.

4. A wheel chair, comprising: a pair of side frames including vertical forward and rearward posts and a bottom rail structure; drive and caster wheels support ing each side frame; a pair of slide bars mounted between said forward and rearward posts, and slidable vertically therebetween; stop means limiting downward movement of said slide bars; a pair of U-shaped cross braces having forwardly converging legs; journal means at the extremities of said legs connecting said cross braces with said bottom rails and said slide bars, to permit movement of said side frames to and from each other, said stops limiting the maximum spacing between said side frames; and a removable rigid base seat structure adapted to rest on said slide bars when said slide bars rest on said stops.

5. A wheel chair, comprising: a pair of side frames including vertical forward and rearward posts and a bottom rail structure; drive and caster wheels supporting each side frame; a pair of slide bars mounted between said forward and rearward posts, and slidable vertically therebetween; stop means limiting downward movement of said slide bars; a pair of U-shaped cross braces having forwardly converging legs; journal means at the extremities of said legs connecting said cross braces with said bottom rails and said slide bars, to permit movement of said side frames to and from each other, said stops limiting the maximum spacing between said side frames; a removable rigid base seat structure adapted to rest on said slide bars, said seat structure having a toilet aperture; a closure panel for said aperture; and means for moving said panel between a position flush with said seat and closing said aperture, and a forward position clear of said aperture.

6. A wheel chair, comprising: a pair of side frames including vertical forward and rearward posts and a bottom rail structure; drive and caster wheels supporting each side frame; a pair of slide bars mounted between said forward and rearward posts, and slidable vertically therebetween; stop means limiting downward movement of said slide bars; a pair of U-shaped cross braces having forwardly converging legs; journal means at the extremities of said legs connecting said cross braces with said bottom rails and said slide bars, to permit movement of said side frames to and from each other, said stops limiting the maximum spacing between said side frames; a removable rigid base seat structure adapted to rest on said slide bars, said seat structure having a toilet aperture; track means under said seat structure at opposite sides of said panel; track riding means secured to the rearward end of said panel and arranged to ride forwardly and rearwardly on said track means to move said closure panel forwardly and rearwardly over said cross bracing, said track means being shaped to raise the rearward end of said panel into said aperture flush with said seat structure as said panel is moved rearwardly into registry with said aperture, said closure panel adapted to occupy a forward position inclined downwardly over said cross bracing; handle means for raising and lowering the forward end of said panel; and means for latching said handle means to secure said panel in said aperture.

7. A wheel chair, comprising: a pair of side frames including vertical forward and rearward posts and a bottom rail structure; drive and caster wheels supporting each side frame; a pair of slide bars mounted between said forward and rearward posts, and slidable vertically therebetween; stop means limiting downward movement of said slide bars; a pair of U-shaped cross braces having forwardly converging legs; journal means at the extremities of said legs connecting said cross braces with said bottom rails and said slide bars, to permit movement of said side frames to and from each other, said stops limiting the maximum spacing between said side frames; a removable rigid base seat structure adapted to rest on said slide bars, said seat structure having a toilet aperture; a cross bar at the rearward end of said panel; cam tracks secured to the underside of said seat structure for rotatably supporting said cross bar, said cam tracks extending forwardly and rearwardly and having camming sections at their rearward portions for elevating and dropping the rearward portion of said panel relative to said seat structure on movement of said panel to and from registry with said aperture; a handle extending forwardly of said panel over said cross bracing for moving said panel between an elevated rearward position in registry with said aperture and a forward position inclined downwardly and forwardly over said cross bracing; and latch means for securing said panel in elevated registry with said seat structure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 557,614 Schmitt Apr. 7, 1896 1,691,620 Wilson Nov. 13, 1928 1,973,962 Mueller Sept. 18, 1934 2,086,550 Hartig July 13, 1937 2,486,015 Everest et al. Oct. 25, 1949 2,592,405 Everest et al. Apr. 8, 1952 2,665,743 Cosper Jan. 12, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 340,419 Germany Sept. 13, 1921 

